Trump's Super Tuesday And Political Implications For The Channel

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Billionaire Donald Trump shocked the GOP and the nation Tuesday, winning seven states in the Republican contest for presidential nominee in one night -- but what does that mean for the channel?

Trump took Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Vermont and Virginia in the day's contests, only days after Hewlett Packard Enterprise CEO Meg Whitman condemned his campaign and her former political colleague New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

Christie officially endorsed Trump after wrapping up his own campaign. It was a move Whitman, his former national finance co-chair,called "an astonishing act of political opportunism."Whitman also said Trump is "unfit" for the presidency.

Overall, solution providers have said they've been unsatisfied with what they've seen as a lack of a clear economic message from any of the candidates. As Trump and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who is leading on the Democratic side, pull ahead to the front of their respective packs, partners want to hear more about their concerns and plans for small to midsize businesses.

"The No. 1 issue that we hear when we're talking to solution providers is that the candidates aren't talking enough about economics and, particularly, small business economics," CRN News Editor Steve Burke said.

Burke said it is still too early to speculate on what a Trump presidency would mean for independent business owners in the channel, but said the spring months will be crucial to the remainder of 2016's presidential race.